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37-calorie (wheat) gluten free brownies = too good to be tasty

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Author’s Note: I’d just like to point out that these brownies are only wheat gluten free. I am not at all an expert in all things gluten free, but it is my understanding that you’d have to use a different type of oat for it to be considered completely gluten free. But all of that doesn’t matter to me as much as the fact that I tried the recipe and I overall did not like it. I won’t make it again. I intended this to be a review of a recipe that someone else provided, not a gluten free cookbook.

They looked like brownies, they smelled like brownies, but did they taste like brownies? That was the important answer I was looking for last night as I tried a new recipe that I found on Facebook for 37-calorie gluten free brownies. It was like my prayers to the food gods had been answered – until I bit into the first one.

The ingredients were simple enough, so I went to the store, bought everything I needed and came home eager to give them a try. I worked with my daughter to bake them.

They smelled good. Really good. My hope for their successful outcome was visibly noticeable. Even the batter was the right consistency.

I poured a small glass of milk to go with my treat, and by this time – I’m not gonna lie – my anticipation was at its limit.

They had a nice texture, a bit chewy – just how I like my brownies. They even had a decent flavor – sort of – kind of a dark chocolate flavor and not terribly sweet. It was the overpowering and instant aftertaste that bugged me. Maybe it was the stevia I used, but I can’t be sure. This was my first time using the product and I’m unsure about it. It reminded me a bit of a diet cola taste, but somehow more chocolate – though not necessarily in a good way.

The serving size was nice and big, though (no stupid 1-inch squares). They were easy and quick to make. I’d bet that in a sweet-fix pinch, they’d do the trick, but I recommend eating them with a small glass of milk. It helps with that aftertaste I mentioned.

Frosting or ice-cream might help too, but that, unfortunately, defeats the purpose.

I did actually calculate the nutritional value of the brownies and they are accurately advertised as 37 calories a serving. With 9 servings to a pan, that means you could eat the whole pan (not recommended) for just 333 calories. Anyway, here is the recipe – share it with your friends and give them a try yourself!

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a square baking dish (8″ x 8″). Combine all ingredients into a food processor or a blender, and blend until smooth (about 1 minute). **Note, no matter how we tried, not all of the oats ground down. They were a bit chewy in the finished brownies** Pour into the prepared dish and bake for about 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting into 9 large squares.

About Monica Pettengill Jerkins

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About the Author

Monica Pettengill Jerkins was raised in the St. John Valley on a traditional New England diet of meat and potatoes. Genetics and life choices have both contributed over the years to her weight gain. After leaving Aroostook County for several years she has returned to her roots and currently lives in Madawaska with her husband and three daughters. She is the editor of Fiddlehead Focus, a fast-growing and popular web and print news source in northern Aroostook County.